LeGrand Johnson

LeGrand "Legs" Johnson (1922-2004) was a US Army Major during World War II. Johnson became famous during Operation Market Garden, when he was rescued by Charles Dohun from being thrown in a "dead pile" with dead soldiers; Johnson had suffered a head wound that was believed fatal. Dohun forced the doctor to examine Johnson at gunpoint, leading to the discovery that Johnson was still alive, and saving him.

Biography
LeGrand Johnson was commanding officer of F Company, 2nd Battalion, US 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, US 101st Airborne Division during World War II, and he held the rank of Captain despite his young age. In 1944, he was the first soldier to jump into Normandy, France during Operation Overlord. On 17 September 1944, he took part in Operation Market Garden, and a scared Johnson made his staff sergeant Charles Dohun guarantee him that he would not let him die. The two proceeded to attack Best, Netherlands, and Johnson was shot in the head on 19 September and pronounced dead. However, Dohun later found his body, brought it back to a field hospital in his jeep after braving German fire, and forced a doctor to examine Johnson at gunpoint; the doctor wanted to throw Johnson in the "dead pile". The doctor discovered his breathing, and he operated on Johnson, who ultimately survived his wounds. He was legally blind after the war, and he was promoted to Major; Helen Keller would teach him braille, and some of his optic nerves re-grew to give him limited vision. Johnson died in 2004, his wife two years later, and they were buried in Elkin, North Carolina, his home state.